Michael Thonet

Michael Thonet (1796-1871), founder of the eponymous company, is one of the most famous furniture designers and manufacturers in history. A trained cabinetmaker from Boppard in Germany, he later worked in Moravia and Vienna. He literally revolutionised the furniture industry with his innovative material processing techniques. In the mid-19th century he developed a method of bending hard beech wood using steam, which enabled him to create lightweight furniture with modern rounded shapes. This innovation launched the mass production of iconic bentwood chairs such as the famous Thonet No. 14, also known as the "Viennese café chair". With this model, Thonet immediately became an international success.

Michael Thonet's designs and manufacturing processes have greatly influenced the furniture industry and played a key role in the development of modern furniture design. The Thonet company, founded by Michael Thonet and later taken over by his sons, became one of the most influential and successful furniture brands of the 19th and 20th centuries. It was famous for its characteristic wooden bentwood furniture, of course, and also for pieces made from steel tubes. Thonet designs left an indelible mark on the world of applied design and are still praised by designers and collectors around the world. That's why they can't be missing from our e-shop.